How to Test ESV Alkalinity

Patrick Cox · 04/25/2019, 04:58 AM

I just switched from the 1 Gallon Containers to the large 4 gallon containers of ESV B-Ionic 2 part. After switching my dosing requirement has increased from 45 ml per day to 75 ml per day to maintain my alkalinity level. So I am either having an issue with a consistent mix or maybe one of the containers was not consistent with the other. So, my question is - how can I test the alkalinity level of this container so when I buy my next container, I can test it as well so I will know what to expect? I am guessing there is an amount of the Alkalinity that I can add to a gallon of water to test the DKH, or something like this, but I don't see that anywhere on the label.

For reference, my tank is 100G and has been running for 3 years. It's primarily SPS and I have a lot of growth right now.

Thanks

bertoni · 04/25/2019, 05:34 PM

I'd try adding 3 dKH or so to a 1 gallon sample. Using this calculator:

http://reef.diesyst.com/chemcalc/chemcalc.html

I get 1.4 ml. If you don't have an accurate measuring device at that level, dosing 10g should be okay. Using the water for changes should still be fine. I'm assuming you're using the original, high-pH formula.

Patrick Cox · 04/25/2019, 06:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bertoni

I'd try adding 3 dKH or so to a 1 gallon sample. Using this calculator:

http://reef.diesyst.com/chemcalc/chemcalc.html

I get 1.4 ml. If you don't have an accurate measuring device at that level, dosing 10g should be okay. Using the water for changes should still be fine. I'm assuming you're using the original, high-pH formula.

Thanks for your reply. So are you saying in the calculator I should enter 1 gallon of water volume and then enter current Alk as 0 dkh and target as 3 dkh? When I do that I get 5.7 ml. (I could not get that calculator to work but I have another calculator like this that I use...)

http://reef.diesyst.com/flashcalc/flashcalc.html

Here is the ESV product I am using...

https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/esv-b...er-system.html

thanks!

bertoni · 04/25/2019, 06:28 PM

I used 7 dKH and 10 dKH, and got 1.4 ml. I don't get any answer for 0 dKH. I suspect that the calculator has a bit of a bug.

Patrick Cox · 04/27/2019, 08:16 AM

OK, well, I figured out what happened. There is still a 1" layer of solid at the bottom of the bucket of alkalinity. Last time I buy these large buckets. PITA to deal with. I am now trying to dissolve the solid and then I will need to keep a close eye on everything. I am afraid to test my calcium as I am sure it is high.

bertoni · 04/27/2019, 05:13 PM

Okay, that makes sense. I'm sorry to hear about your trouble. Some heating might help dissolve the solid.

reefteaser · 05/04/2019, 09:09 AM

Patrick I’m curious, are you saying that the large buckets are filled with water and make 4 gallons at a time? I thought they were filled with the dry powder that was portioned out to make however many gallons you need at the time.
I’m asking because after using the gallon concentrate size for a while (and very happy with the results) I was considering buying the larger containers. Your experience may change my mind.

04/25/2019, 04:58 AM	#1
Patrick Cox Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Lexington, KY Posts: 1,697	How to Test ESV Alkalinity I just switched from the 1 Gallon Containers to the large 4 gallon containers of ESV B-Ionic 2 part. After switching my dosing requirement has increased from 45 ml per day to 75 ml per day to maintain my alkalinity level. So I am either having an issue with a consistent mix or maybe one of the containers was not consistent with the other. So, my question is - how can I test the alkalinity level of this container so when I buy my next container, I can test it as well so I will know what to expect? I am guessing there is an amount of the Alkalinity that I can add to a gallon of water to test the DKH, or something like this, but I don't see that anywhere on the label. For reference, my tank is 100G and has been running for 3 years. It's primarily SPS and I have a lot of growth right now. Thanks __________________ 100G Fairly New Aspiring SPS/Mixed Reef - 48" x 24" x 20"

04/25/2019, 05:34 PM	#2
bertoni RC Mod Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Mountain View, CA, USA Posts: 88,616	I'd try adding 3 dKH or so to a 1 gallon sample. Using this calculator: http://reef.diesyst.com/chemcalc/chemcalc.html I get 1.4 ml. If you don't have an accurate measuring device at that level, dosing 10g should be okay. Using the water for changes should still be fine. I'm assuming you're using the original, high-pH formula. __________________ Jonathan Bertoni

04/25/2019, 06:28 PM	#4
bertoni RC Mod Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Mountain View, CA, USA Posts: 88,616	I used 7 dKH and 10 dKH, and got 1.4 ml. I don't get any answer for 0 dKH. I suspect that the calculator has a bit of a bug. __________________ Jonathan Bertoni

04/27/2019, 08:16 AM	#5
Patrick Cox Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Lexington, KY Posts: 1,697	OK, well, I figured out what happened. There is still a 1" layer of solid at the bottom of the bucket of alkalinity. Last time I buy these large buckets. PITA to deal with. I am now trying to dissolve the solid and then I will need to keep a close eye on everything. I am afraid to test my calcium as I am sure it is high. __________________ 100G Fairly New Aspiring SPS/Mixed Reef - 48" x 24" x 20"

04/27/2019, 05:13 PM	#6
bertoni RC Mod Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Mountain View, CA, USA Posts: 88,616	Okay, that makes sense. I'm sorry to hear about your trouble. Some heating might help dissolve the solid. __________________ Jonathan Bertoni

05/04/2019, 09:09 AM	#7
reefteaser Convince'em or confuse'em Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: S FL Posts: 341	Patrick I’m curious, are you saying that the large buckets are filled with water and make 4 gallons at a time? I thought they were filled with the dry powder that was portioned out to make however many gallons you need at the time. I’m asking because after using the gallon concentrate size for a while (and very happy with the results) I was considering buying the larger containers. Your experience may change my mind.